The elite teams tend to win the World Cup, but that doesn't mean there isn't carnage along the way.
Since 1998, there have been 18 upsets in the group stage at +500 or higher, including Saudi Arabia in 2022, which cashed at +2450.
Biggest Group Stage Upsets
| Year | Winner | Loser | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Saudi Arabia | Argentina | +2450 |
| 2018 | South Korea | Germany | +1800 |
| 2010 | Switzerland | Spain | +1200 |
| 2022 | Cameroon | Brazil | +800 |
| 2014 | Costa Rica | Uruguay | +780 |
| 2002 | Senegal | France | +770 |
| 2022 | Costa Rica | Japan | +650 |
| 2018 | Mexico | Germany | +650 |
| 2022 | Australia | Denmark | +640 |
| 2022 | Japan | Germany | +630 |
| 2002 | USA | Portugal | +610 |
| 2022 | Japan | Spain | +600 |
| 2010 | Slovakia | Italy | +580 |
| 2002 | Denmark | France | +560 |
| 2014 | Costa Rica | Italy | +550 |
| 2022 | Tunisia | France | +500 |
| 2002 | Croatia | Italy | +500 |
| 1998 | Norway | Brazil | +500 |
Biggest Knockout Stage Upsets
Brazil fell yet again in the knockout stage to Croatia, adding to a wild stat.
Since 1998, there have been eight upsets at +275 or higher, and here are the teams:
- Brazil: 4 losses
- Every other country: 4 losses
| Year | Winner | Loser | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | France | Brazil | +410 (90 mins) |
| 2022 | Croatia | Brazil | +400 (PKs) |
| 2018 | Russia | Spain | +330 (PKs) |
| 1998 | Croatia | Germany | +330 (90 mins) |
| 2010 | Netherlands | Brazil | +305 (90 mins) |
| 2022 | Morocco | Spain | +300 (PKs) |
| 2002 | USA | Mexico | +290 (90 mins) |
| 2018 | Belgium | Brazil | +275 (90 mins) |
